Fistulizing canaliculus



Dec. 1, 1964 R. A, Nass 3,159,161

FIsTULIzING cmNALIcULUsI Filed Nov. 14. 1962 United States Patent O 3,159,161 FISTULIZING CANALICULUS Richard Alton Ness, Rte. 1, Fergus Falls,Minn. Filed Nov. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 237,513 7 Claims. (Cl. 12S-350) The present invention relates to surgical devices gcnerally and in particular to a canaliculus to be usedwith a trephining operation for the control of glaucoma by shunting aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber to the retrobulbar space.

In the condition called glaucoma the aqueous fluid cannot drain from the eye through its natural channel, the canal of Schlemm.V In the condition of acute glaucoma this is because of a blockage of the canal of Schlemrn due to prolapse ofthe iris into the angle. In chronic glaucoma this is due to a change in the filtering meshwork (trabeculum) such that the fluid does not filter into this drainage canal properly. The aqueous iluid is secreted at a fairly constant rate and if it cannot escape at the normal rate of out-flow due to either one of these disturbances, the intra-ocular pressure will build up.

An object of the present invention is to provide a iistulizing canaliculus which is designed to drain the aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber of the eye into the retrobulbar space, this being the loose and open space behind the eye.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a canaliculus which is fabricated of a material which is nonirritating to the tissues of a human body when embedded beneath the conjunctiva.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for reducing the intra-ocular pressure of an eye of a human, the means being eicient, automatic in operation, one requiring little or no attention after installation, and one which is highly effective in action..

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the canaliculus, with a mid-portion broken away,

FIGURE 2 is a view in section through a portion of a human eye showing the canaliculus of the present invention in section and installed in a position of use in the eye,

FIGURE 3 is a view taken on the line 3 3 of FIG- URE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the canaliculus,

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan view as seen on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4, and on an enlarged scale,

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on the line 6 6 of FIG- URE 5, and

FIGURE 7 is a View similar to FIGURE 5 showing a modified form of the canaliculus.

With reference to the drawing in detail, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the reference numeral 10 designates generally a human eye including the cornea 12, solera 14, lens 16, and iris structure 18.

The surgical device or canaliculus of the present invention is designated by the reference numeral 20 and it comprises an elongated tube 22. The tube 22 is curved in longitudinal and transverse sections to the same radius 0f an eye, which is approximately l2 millimeters.

A hollow projection 24 projects at substantially a right angle from one end of the tube 22 and the linterior of the projection 24 is connected in communication with the interior of the tube 22.

The bore 26 of the tube 22 has one end connected with a bore 28 in the projection 24 and has its other end open to the retrobulbar space through a tapered sloping face 3i) of the tube 22.

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On the free end of the projection 24 there is a flange 32 and the flange 32 is provided with channels 34, 36, 38, and 40, as shown most clearly in FIGURE l, the inner ends of such channels being connected in communication with the open end of the Vbore 26. The tube 22 is also provided with vents 42 and 44 connecting in communication with the bore 26, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The body of the tube is also provided with holes 46 and with a pair of notches 48 at the end of the tube 22 adjacent the projection 24.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 7, the tube 22 is provided with a projection 24 having a flange 32 on one end. In this form of the invention the face of the ange is less ridged, as at 50, than in the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 6, inclusive The lateral sides of the tube 22 are provided with notches 52 by means of which the tube 22 may be grasped by a special pair of forceps for manipulation of the tube and placement of the projection 24 within a hole bored in the eye 10. l

In use, the eye 10 is provided with a surgically drilled bore into which the projection 24 may be slipped. The flange 32 is provided with the grooves 34, 36, 38, and 40, which prevent the iris structure 18 from acting as a flap valve for blocking the passage or bore 28. The aqueous fluid of the eye ball then will drain through the bore 28, bore 26, into the retro-bulbar space without diiculty.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the longitudinal curvature of the tube 22 which is substantially the same as the curvature of the adjacent portion of the eye ball. Another feature resides in the provision of a limbal angle, represented by arrows and the numeral 54 in FIGURE 2, which angle is in the neighborhood of approximately fifteen degrees and is tangent to the curvature of the tube 22. Obviously, the angle 54 may be varied to suit various conditions.

Once the ltube 22 is in position with the projection 24 in the position to drain the interior of the eye 10, conventional suturing material (not shown) is employed in conjunction With the holes 46 and notches 48 to secure the tube 22 in the position against the eye 10.

While only preferred forms of the invention are shown and described, other -forms of the invention are contemplated and numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the `invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A canaliculus for insertion beneath the conjunctiva of a human eye comprising an elongated tube having longitudinal and transverse curvatures substantially the same as the curvature of the portion of a human eye below the iris thereof and being thin relative to longitudinal and transverse dimensions thereof, a hollow projection on one end of said tube having the interior thereof connected in communication with the interior of said tube, said projection being adapted for insertion into a hole bored in a human eye with the tube lying against the eye and having the other end of the tube disposed so as to drain into the retro-bulbar space fluid received in said projection interior.

2. A canaliculus for insertion under the conjunctiva of a human eye comprising an elongated tube having longitudinal and transverse curvature's substantially the same as the curvature of the portion of a human eye below the iris thereof andbeing thin relative to longitudinal and transverse dimensions thereof, a hollow open ended projection projecting at substantially a right angle from one end of said tubeand having the interior thereof conneeted in communication with the interior of said tube, said projection being adapted for insertion into a hole bored in a human eye -and with said tube lying against the eye and having the other end of said tube disposed so as to drain into the retro-bulbar space fluid received in said projection interior.

3. A canaliculus for insertion under the conjunctiva of a human eye comprising an elongated tube having longitudinal and transverse curvaturessubstantially the same as the curvature of the portion of a human eye below the iris thereof, and being thin relative to longitudinal and transverse dimensions thereof, a hollow open ended projection projecting at substantially a right angle from one end of said tubev and having the interior thereof connected in communication with the interior of said tube, said projection being adapted for insertion into a hole bored in a human eye with said tube lying against the eye and having the other end of said tube disposed so as to drain into the retro-bulbar `space uid received in said projection interior, andl a angeon the free end of said projection. y

4. A'canaliculus for insertion underthe conjunctiva of a human eye comprising an elongated tube having longitudinal and transverse curvatures substantially the same as the curvatnres of the portion of a human eye below the iris thereof, and being thin relative to longitudinal and transverse dimensionsv thereof, a hollow open ended projection projecting at substantially a right angle at one end of said tube and having the interior thereof connected in communication with the interior of said tube, said projection being adapted for insertion into a hole bored in a human eye with said tube lying adjacent the eye and having the other end of .said tubel disposed so as to drain into the retro-bulbar space Huid received in said projection interior, a flange on the free end of said projection, and a groove provided ina surface of said flange in communication with the interior of said tube and an edge of said flange. Y

5. The canaliculus of claim 4 wherein said one end of said tube includes a surface disposed at a predetermined angle from a tangent with the longitudinal curvature.

6. A canaliculus for insertion under the conjunctiva of a human eye comprising an elongated tube having longitudinal and transverse curvatures substantially the same as the curvature of the portion of a human eye below the iris thereof and being thin relative to the longitudinally and transverse dimensions thereof, one end of said tube including a surface disposed at a predetermined angle from a tangent with the longitudinal curvature, a hollow projection secured at substantially a right angle to said surface of said tube and having the interior thereof disposed in communication with the interior of said tube, and a flange on the free end of said projection having a groove in a surface thereof.

7. The canaliculus of claim 6 wherein said groove is in communication with the interiorof said tube and an edge of said ange.

References Cited bythe Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 5 5 9 Germany.

OTHER REFERENCES l RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner. 

1. A CANALICULUS FOR INSERTION BENEATH THE CONJUNCTIVA OF A HUMAN EYE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBE HAVING LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE CURVATURES SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THE CURVATURE OF THE PORTION OF A HUMAN EYE BELOW THE IRIS THEREOF AND BEING THIN RELATIVE TO LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE DIMENSIONS THEREOF, A HOLLOW PROJECTION OF ONE END OF SAID TUBE HAVING THE INTERIOR THEREOF CONNECTED IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID TUBE, SAID PROJECTION BEING ADAPTED FOR INSERTION INTO A HOLE BORED IN A HUMAN EYE WITH THE TUBE LYING AGAINST THE EYE AND HAVING THE OTHER END OF THE TUBE DISPOSED SO AS TO DRAIN INTO THE RETRO-BULBAR SPACE FLUID RECEIVED IN SAID PROJECTION INTERIOR. 